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Proverbs 21
Authorized (King James) Version
Proverbs 21
Authorized (King James) Version
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:
he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:
but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart,
and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange:
but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,
than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise:
and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked:
but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger:
and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment:
but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name,
who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him;
for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long:
but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination:
how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish:
but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face:
but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
but safety is of the Lord.
Proverbs 21
Modern English Version
Proverbs 21
Modern English Version
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A high look, a proud heart,
and the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty,
but of everyone who is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a vanity tossed back and forth by those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;
but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise;
and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked,
but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also will cry himself, but will not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a concealed bribe strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do justice,
but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
will remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked will be a ransom for the righteous,
and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness
than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows after righteousness and mercy
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and casts down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud and haughty—scorner is his name,
who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all the day long,
but the righteous gives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with a wicked intent!
28 A false witness will perish,
but a man who listens will speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
but as for the upright, he directs his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel
against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle,
but victory is of the Lord.
Proverbs 21
New King James Version
Proverbs 21
New King James Version
The Lord Considers the Heart
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [a]rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
3 (C)To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
5 (E)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will [d]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of [e]a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with (G)a contentious woman.
10 (H)The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the (I)wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 (J)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe [f]behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the (K)dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell [g]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 (L)There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 (M)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
23 (O)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The (P)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous (Q)gives and does not spare.
27 (R)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he [i]establishes his way.
30 (S)There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But (T)deliverance is of the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:1 channels
- Proverbs 21:4 Or lamp
- Proverbs 21:6 LXX Pursue vanity on the snares of death; Vg. Is vain and foolish, and shall stumble on the snares of death; Tg. They shall be destroyed, and they shall fall who seek death
- Proverbs 21:7 Lit. drag them away
- Proverbs 21:8 Or The way of a man is perverse and strange;
- Proverbs 21:14 Under cover, lit. in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:19 Lit. in the land of the desert
- Proverbs 21:22 Climbs over the walls of
- Proverbs 21:29 Qr., LXX understands
Proverbios 21
Reina-Valera 1960
Proverbios 21
Reina-Valera 1960
21 Como los repartimientos de las aguas,
Así está el corazón del rey en la mano de Jehová;
A todo lo que quiere lo inclina.
2 Todo camino del hombre es recto en su propia opinión;
Pero Jehová pesa los corazones.
3 Hacer justicia y juicio es a Jehová
Más agradable que sacrificio.
4 Altivez de ojos, y orgullo de corazón,
Y pensamiento de impíos, son pecado.
5 Los pensamientos del diligente ciertamente tienden a la abundancia;
Mas todo el que se apresura alocadamente, de cierto va a la pobreza.
6 Amontonar tesoros con lengua mentirosa
Es aliento fugaz de aquellos que buscan la muerte.
7 La rapiña de los impíos los destruirá,
Por cuanto no quisieron hacer juicio.
8 El camino del hombre perverso es torcido y extraño;
Mas los hechos del limpio son rectos.
9 Mejor es vivir en un rincón del terrado
Que con mujer rencillosa en casa espaciosa.
10 El alma del impío desea el mal;
Su prójimo no halla favor en sus ojos.
11 Cuando el escarnecedor es castigado, el simple se hace sabio;
Y cuando se le amonesta al sabio, aprende ciencia.
12 Considera el justo la casa del impío,
Cómo los impíos son trastornados por el mal.
13 El que cierra su oído al clamor del pobre,
También él clamará, y no será oído.
14 La dádiva en secreto calma el furor,
Y el don en el seno, la fuerte ira.
15 Alegría es para el justo el hacer juicio;
Mas destrucción a los que hacen iniquidad.
16 El hombre que se aparta del camino de la sabiduría
Vendrá a parar en la compañía de los muertos.
17 Hombre necesitado será el que ama el deleite,
Y el que ama el vino y los ungüentos no se enriquecerá.
18 Rescate del justo es el impío,
Y por los rectos, el prevaricador.
19 Mejor es morar en tierra desierta
Que con la mujer rencillosa e iracunda.
20 Tesoro precioso y aceite hay en la casa del sabio;
Mas el hombre insensato todo lo disipa.
21 El que sigue la justicia y la misericordia
Hallará la vida, la justicia y la honra.
22 Tomó el sabio la ciudad de los fuertes,
Y derribó la fuerza en que ella confiaba.
23 El que guarda su boca y su lengua,
Su alma guarda de angustias.
24 Escarnecedor es el nombre del soberbio y presuntuoso
Que obra en la insolencia de su presunción.
25 El deseo del perezoso le mata,
Porque sus manos no quieren trabajar.
26 Hay quien todo el día codicia;
Pero el justo da, y no detiene su mano.
27 El sacrificio de los impíos es abominación;
¡Cuánto más ofreciéndolo con maldad!
28 El testigo mentiroso perecerá;
Mas el hombre que oye, permanecerá en su dicho.
29 El hombre impío endurece su rostro;
Mas el recto ordena sus caminos.
30 No hay sabiduría, ni inteligencia,
Ni consejo, contra Jehová.
31 El caballo se alista para el día de la batalla;
Mas Jehová es el que da la victoria.
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
Modern English Version (MEV)
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960) 
Reina-Valera 1960 ® © Sociedades Bíblicas en América Latina, 1960. Renovado © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1988. Utilizado con permiso. Si desea más información visite americanbible.org, unitedbiblesocieties.org, vivelabiblia.com, unitedbiblesocieties.org/es/casa/, www.rvr60.bible